Breaking down FAU at Georgia

The Independent Mail beat writers break down Clemson/Furman, USC/UAB and Georgia/FAU with their picks.

FAU Breakdown

The Good

Florida Atlantic's Martese Jackson netted 99 yards in a loss to Middle Tennessee last week, giving the Owls a much-needed boost in their running game. It was his first appearance of the season. Last year Jackson played for Fort Scott Community College where he gained 1,110 yards in just eight games.

Byron Hankerson is also a quality receiver, having pulled in eight catches so far this season for 141 yards and a pair of scores.

The Bad

FAU, under new coach Carl Pelini, simply isn't very good right now.

The Owls had to sweat out a 7-3 season-opening victory over Wagner, a Football Championship Subdivision school out of the Northeast Conference, and were thumped by the Blue Raiders a week ago in their Sun Belt Conference opener.

The Owls have struggled mightily with their running game, netting a grand total of 260 rushing yards in eight quarters — and they've lost six fumbles.

And although quarterback Graham Wilbert has thrown for 386 yards and three scores, the senior sometimes has trouble getting cranked up during the first half of games.

The Skinny

Following a lackluster victory over Buffalo and an impressive win over Missouri in its SEC opener, Georgia is due for another uninspired effort under the lights in Athens. Regardless of what coaches and players might say, it will be difficult to get hyped for this non-conference game against a struggling SBC foe.

The Bulldogs will see the return of Sanders Comings and Chase Vasser, who are coming off suspensions, and it'll also be another chance for the offensive line to tighten up a bit.

And there should be plenty of chances for UGA's stable of running backs to get plenty of work in before the Dawgs resume SEC competition at home next Saturday against Vanderbilt.

Florida Atlantic will almost certainly play with more purpose and enthusiasm than their foes today, but it won't be nearly enough.

While Mark Richt's charges will likely sputter along in a game they simply want to get over with, FAU isn't talented enough to pull off what would be a monumental upset at Sanford Stadium.